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What You Need to Know About the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) is a government initiative aimed at encouraging companies to train apprentices and help them gain practical skills. In April 2022, the Government of India introduced a new feature called Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the NAPS 2.0 scheme. This feature ensures that apprentices receive their stipends directly into their bank accounts, making the process more transparent and efficient.

If you're an apprentice or considering becoming one, it's important to understand how this DBT system works and what steps you need to take to benefit from it.

What Is Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)?

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is a system where the government transfers money directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. In the context of NAPS, DBT means that the government's share of your apprenticeship stipend (up to INR 1,500 per month) will be directly credited to your bank account.

Why Was DBT Introduced?

The DBT system was introduced to ensure that apprentices receive their stipends on time and without any hassle. It also aims to reduce the chances of delays or errors that can happen when payments go through multiple channels.

In her 2023-24 Budget Speech, the Hon'ble Minister of Finance highlighted that the government plans to support 47 lakh youth with stipends over three years through the NAPS DBT system. This shows the government's strong commitment to promoting apprenticeships across the country.

How Does DBT Work for Apprentices?

If you’re an apprentice, here’s a simple breakdown of how the DBT system works for you:

1. Stipend Payment: Your employer (the establishment) pays 75% of your total stipend directly to your bank account.
2. Government’s Contribution: The government then adds its contribution (25% of your stipend, up to INR 1,500 per month) directly to your bank account through the DBT system.
3. Receiving Payments: Both payments—your employer’s share and the government’s share—are credited to your account separately, but you receive the full amount that you’re entitled to every month.

Steps to Ensure You Receive Your DBT Payments

To receive your stipend through DBT, you need to make sure of the following:

1. Aadhaar and e-KYC: Make sure your Aadhaar is updated and you’ve completed your e-KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. This is a mandatory step.
2. Bank Account Details: Your bank account information, including the account number, IFSC code, and bank name, should be correct and updated on the apprenticeship portal.
3. DBT Consent: You must give your consent to receive the stipend via DBT by checking the relevant box on your profile in the apprenticeship portal.

Common Issues and How to Solve Them

Sometimes, apprentices may face issues in receiving their DBT payments. Here are some common problems and solutions:

• Incomplete e-KYC: If your e-KYC is not complete, you won't be able to receive DBT payments. Make sure to finish this process on the apprenticeship portal.
• Incorrect Bank Details: Double-check your bank details on the portal. Even a small mistake can delay your payments.
• DBT Consent Not Given: Make sure you have selected "Yes" for DBT consent on your profile. Without this, the payments won’t be processed.

Where to Find Help

If you have any trouble with the DBT system, there are resources available to help you:

1. User Manuals: There are detailed guides available for both establishments and apprentices on how to use the DBT system. You can find these on the apprenticeship portal.
2. Video Tutorials: There are also video tutorials that walk you through the process of setting up and managing DBT payments.
3. Support: If you're still having issues, you can contact the support team through the apprenticeship portal for help.

Conclusion

The DBT system under NAPS is designed to make sure that apprentices like you receive your stipend quickly and directly. By following the steps mentioned above and ensuring that your details are correctly entered on the portal, you can benefit from this system without any issues. This is a great step towards making apprenticeships more accessible and beneficial for millions of young people across India.